This Goan uses ‘power of mango’ to motivate youth to become self-employed

A Goan youth has decided to sell mangoes enticingly displayed in the boot of his car parked at the Ponda circle to encourage others like him to become self-employed.

Panaji, June 28: It's mango season! As we are happily gorging on delicious, juicy mangoes and mango-based delicacies, a Goan youth has decided to sell the fruit enticingly displayed in the boot of his car parked at the Ponda circle to encourage others like him to become self-employed.

In verdant Goa, tourism is the main sector providing employment to the people. However, the coastal state is fighting the scourge of joblessness (like the rest of the country) in a big manner as Goa recorded 15 per cent of unemployment rate in 2015-16. Moreover, a large population of young Goans could be found wasting their precious time either riding their bikes or drinking alcohol.

Thus Maclon Eloy Fernandes from Batora, Curtorim decided to sell mangoes on the roadside to motivate unemployed youth to become self-sufficient as there is no shame in earning one's own livelihood. While he sells his mangoes, he also tells customers why he has started his mini-business.

"I bought mangoes from Goans, put them in the boot of my car, parked it at the Ponda circle at Fatorda and started selling it earlier this month. I can talk to a group of people and convince them. Within five days, I sold 700 mangoes. I want to set an example by doing it, by being pragmatic and not just preaching it," Fernandes told The Times of India.

"I do not need to do this. My parents are abroad and as you can see, I move in a high-end car and am using the same to spread the message of gainful employment. Youth in Goa want to go abroad and do odd jobs there, but they are not ready to do the same here as they consider it as either shameful or they feel shy, so I'm setting an example," he added.

The effort of Fernandes has earned him praises from various quarters. While praising Fernandes, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco stated that time will come when overseas jobs will dry up and youth will have to gain employment in the state itself.

Fernandes has also been hailed as an inspiration for others. "I wish Goan youth take a cue from him and start something, however small to earn a living here in Goa itself," said Goan Seamen Association of India president Dixon Vaz.

While it is true that the state and the Central governments need to come up with job opportunities for unemployed people as per their skills, as the wait across the country is getting longer and longer and unemployment rate is rising astronomically, time for some self-employment ideas as doled out by Fernandes. Meanwhile, no harm in selling pakoras and mangoes till the economy shines again.